The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-10-12


General Jackson was wifeless, but had |
two beautiful End accomplished nieces |
who were of great assistance to him.
Van Buren, Was 8 widower, and depend |
ent entirely on his sons wife Angelica.
Anna Harrison. wife of "Fippecanoe"
was devout christian, too frail in health |
to 60 to Washington where her husband |
was in office, but one brief month when |
the strain and responsibility of his posi-. |
ton fastened his death.
Vice-President Tyler thus made Presi-
dent, was twice married. His first wife,
"Letitia," Yves shy and sensitive, and de-
spite her lovely face, had no ambition but
TO be the center of a loving family. Her
death occurred in the White House before
the end of the first two years. and two
years later, as bis Administration was
nearing to a close. President Tyler married
Julia Gardiner, the first and with one hap
Ply exception, the only marriage of Presi-
dent while in office. 1t was romantic
engagement owing to the tragic death OF
Miss Gardeners father while they were
Mr.. Tyler's guests on pleasure trip. To
the Presidents admiration for the lovely
girl was added his sympathy, and they
were married and were happy ever after.
Mrs. Polk handed herself down to his
tory as the mistress of the White House
who had the courage to put an end 20
dancing, cards and other frivolous amuss-
ments in the House of the Nation; even
did away with Refreshments for those who
had plenty aid ~ spare at home, but was
My LADY Bountiful TO all in need.
Mrs Zachary Taylor was, with her gal
liant husband, in 5ll his frontier life, aud
was q feeble, broken down woman when the
GROWING honor came, SO that her daughter
Betty was really the Mistress of the White
House.
Abigail Fillmore, as the daughter CT a
clergy man, was so we'll instructed that she
taught school before and after her marriage,
10 enable her husband to devote all his
time TO the study Of law. Ovsrwork made
her prematurely feeble woman, 50 that
her daughter Was compelled to take charge
in her place, but so great was her pride In
her husbands success that she would re-
| main on her couch all day in order to save
strength enough to be at his side in the
evening receptions. go great reader was
she, that for her cake her husband asked
and received OF Congress an appropriation
for the first library In the White Houss,
| himself selecting the books.
Jane Pierce was also au invalid on whom
| the sorrow Of the death of two children
bore heavily. A short time before Presi-
dent PieIce's Inauguration the third and
oDly child, bright boy in whom al their
hopes were centered, was killed 10 a rail-
road accident before their eyes, SO that the
Il
and lonely ones
Harriet Lane. as the nelce OF the bache.
| lor President, Buchanan, was one Of the
| brightest, most beautiful girls in face and
| nature who was ever the pet of people.
| Nothing was spsred to make her life per-
| fiction of happy days, yet through all the
| sdulstion she remained unselfish and I'M
| spoiled.
Mrs. Lincoln was the most ambitions ard
| the least populsr of all the Presidents
| wives. Her lifelong desire was to be the
first lady of the land, but, the position
| once obtained, the apple of ambition
| turned to ashes. At this darkest period of
| the Nations history ii was impossible for
/ gayeiy to reign at the Nations center.
| The hIst two years were of great uncer-
taiDty and trials. and the death OF her so q
| Willie, and iaally of her husband, turned
the last years into deepest mourning. Mrs.
Lincoln was capricious and exacting with
i a most indulgent husband, whose plain
| ness of feature and address annoyed her
/ constantly. Had she kept in mind what
was due the position she had coveted so
long, she might have derived more satisfac-
ton from ii, but here again Der unfOrtu-
nate disposition stood in her way, and hers
has been most unhappy life.
Eliza Johnson, another invalid, to whom
was due much of her husbands success,
gave way to her daughter when the goal OF
| the White House was reached. Daughter
Martha, IN addition to providing enter
tainment and comfort for her fathers
guests, superintendent the cleaning house
at the Executive Mansion to such good pur-
pose that the small approp ristion for that
work did double duty. Finding she could
not make ends meet by letting out the con-
trsct as usual, she went to work with q
will and sn artistic eye, and as re-
suit the White House was in better shape
and better taste than ever before.
Mrs. Grant was the wife of the youngest
President ever put in Office, and with her
interesting children frightened the old
house till it was cheerier than it had been
for many day. They had had some hard
times at "Hardscrabble," and when the
good times came, lived them to the utmost
The first three years were quiet ones, but
the last one when Nellie was out of school
and in society, was a most brilliant one
When this petted daughter of prou
parents married and left for England, the
whole country felt itself concerned and to
this day the name of Nellie Grant will
awaken an interest that no other American
woman can share in. TIE Grant family
travelled more than any other Presidents
family had done, before the famous TRIP
around the world. 1t was then that Mrs
Grant received more genuine homage than
was ever accorded any queen since the day
Of the Queen of She5a, and through her
| great bereavement must come the soften
ing influences Of pleasant memories.
Lucy Webb Hayes was the daughter o.
the people and for the people; the mos
| womaDly woman who ever graced thu
| White House. 1t has been laid at her dool
| that she trained her husband as well as b 81
children, because che forbid the use o
wine on her table. Be that as it may, hel
| administration will be remembered whsr
her husband'sIin forgotten. Hers was rar'
health and sunny good nature. No decol
| lette dressing.
Lucretia Garfield was a teacher in tht
| public schools of Cleveland, and after hel
| marriage gave lessons in painting anC
drawing to help along. She Is sweet faced
and graceful, bat q regulsr home body
| fearful of the responsibility of the nes
| position; q most devoted wife and mother
| The famous "Grandma Garfield" mothe
of the President, although eighty years o
age, shared the honors with her. and n,
matter what persons of distinction wer
| present, Grandma Garfield received TIT
first AMI highest consideration.
President Arthur being a widower will
young daughter, asked his married siste
| to preside for him, which she did with
grace BETTING her position.
Rose Cleveland Kept house for her bache
Tor brother only long enough to have it il
perfect order for the sweet bride who wa
to come into new home and a new life a